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Merck Serono And Opexa Therapeutics Enter Into Option And License Agreement For Development Of Tcelna™ (imilecleucel-T) For Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas of oncology, neurology and immunology.

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of €10.3 billion in 2011, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approx. 40,000 employees in 67 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

Cautionary Statement Relating to Forward-Looking Information for the Purpose of "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “expects,” “believes,” “may,” “could,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the development of the Company’s product candidate, Tcelna (imilecleucel-T), constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation, risks associated with: the success of our clinical trials (including the Phase IIb trial for Tcelna (imilecleucel-T) in SPMS which, depending upon results, may determine whether Merck Serono elects to exercise its option pursuant to the option and development agreement), whether Merck Serono exercises its option and, if so, whether the Company receives any development or commercialization milestone payments or royalties from Merck Serono pursuant to the option and development agreement, our dependence (if Merck Serono exercises its option) on the resources and abilities of Merck Serono for the further development of Tcelna (imilecleucel-T), our ability to raise additional capital to continue our development programs (including to undertake and complete any ongoing or further clinical studies for Tcelna (imilecleucel-T)), the efficacy of Tcelna (imilecleucel-T) for any particular indication, such as for relapsing remitting MS or secondary progressive MS, our compliance with all Food and Drug Administration regulations, our ability to obtain, maintain and protect intellectual property rights (including for Tcelna), and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We assume no obligation or undertaking to update any forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. You should, however, review additional disclosures we make in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

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